14 / 38
1 2
| 2 0 1 6 K U T Z T OW N U N I V E R S I T Y WO M E N ’ S L A C R O S S E
2016 Season Preview
Defense
The KU defense will be led by junior Courtney O’Neill. She
led KU and ranked second in the PSAC with 59 ground-
balls. O’Neill was second in the PSAC with 2.13 caused
turnovers per game and 15th with 39 draw controls.
O’Neill is the central communicator on the team, can read
a defense well, sends plays in and out, and will be relied
on heavily as the veteran leader of the defense.
Since the 2008 season, she has posted the second and
fourth most groundballs in a single-season in KU history
with 59 in 2015 and 58 in 2014. O’Neill also posted the
second and third most caused turnovers in KU single-sea-
son history with 34 in 2015 and 33 in 2014. Heading into
her junior season, O’Neill ranks third all-time in KU history
with 67 caused turnovers, sixth with 117 groundballs and
tied for eighth with 53 draw controls.
Redshirt-sophomore Haley Romoser returns after receiv-
ing a medical redshirt last season. She started in both of
her appearances, recording eight groundballs. Romoser
will play a role in transition, is a strong defender and has
great stick work.
Freshman Reilly Donovan could be a possible starter this
season. She will receive ample playing time and Coach
Scattergood hopes to develop her game significantly this
season.
Senior Riley Patrone is a first-year Golden Bear that will
provide depth, along with freshman Molly O’Neill.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper position is expected to be an open compe-
tition between junior Abby Cox and sophomore Jen Bergey.
Both received plenty of game action last season and will
be looked upon to improve this year.
Cox started in 10 of her 11 appearances, recording 69
saves and a .390 save percentage. Bergey started in six of
her 12 games played, recording 74 saves and a .376 save
percentage.
Coach Scattergood expects both goalies to see game ac-
tion and it could end up being a team-to-team or game-
to-game decision on who starts in goal. She likes the dif-
ferent skillsets of the two goalies and thinks it could be a
factor in who she starts from game-to-game.
Cox is a taller goalie at 5’6” and is good up high in goal,
while Bergey is only 5’2”, but is quick and provides a dif-
ferent skillset in goal than Cox. Both are expected to take
a step forward this year in what could be the most interest-
ing position battle for the team.
Up Next
KU begins its season with a non-conference home game
against Holy Family University on Wednesday, March 2, at
3 p.m. at Keystone Field. The Golden Bears follow that up
with four consecutive road matchups, including their PSAC
opener at Shippensburg on Tuesday, March 15, before re-
turning back home on Thursday, March 17.